The annual Spring Drive-In Workshop is an excellent opportunity for professional development, continuing education, networking, and thought-provoking conversations with professionals across the state of Arkansas. Intentionally designed to be a smaller venue than a full conference, the Drive-In was created as a chance for all attendees to be a part of the vital discussions happening in the field of higher education today.
The 6th annual Spring Drive-In will be held April 23-24, 2020.
The 6th annual Spring Drive-In will be held April 23-24, 2020.
Every Student Counts: Student Persistence & Retention
First-Generation Student Excellence Conference
at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR
First-Generation Student Excellence Conference
at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR
Schedule
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
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3:00-5:00 p.m.
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Pre-Conference Workshop Opportunity
From Distress to Success: Leveraging the Behavioral Intervention Team to Move the Needle on Student Success While campus behavioral intervention teams (BITs) are often viewed in the sole context of safety and security, the team routinely manages students experiencing extreme distress (resulting in a high-risk for dropout) who may not represent a danger to self or others. This specialized team, through the development of intervention plans, is uniquely positioned to connect referred students to support resources capable of maximizing their potential for student success. This pre-conference session will explore best practices for BIT team creation and composition; training topics to ensure high-level team commitment, communication, and external collaboration; intervention plans and strategies; and data collection and tracking through the lens of student success. Session participants will work through a case study demonstrating the BIT team role in improving student persistence rates. Note: There is an additional $10 fee to attend this pre-conference workshop. |
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
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8:00-9:15 a.m.
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Conference Check-in & Continental Breakfast provided
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9:15-10:15 a.m.
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Opening Session, Welcome, & Keynote Speaker – Dr. Sarah Whitley, Senior Director of the Center for First-Generation Student Success
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10:30-11:15 a.m.
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Educational Sessions & Roundtables – Block #1
RISE: realizing Improved Student Engagement
Presenter: Christy Coker, Student Advocate - Hendrix College
RISE (Realizing Improved Student Engagement) collectively selects first-year students who scored below a 2.50 GPA in their initial Hendrix semester. RISE coordinates with various departments across campus to form an informational panel of program and service providers to re-introduce available resources on campus, some academic and some daily living in a campus community. Completing a self-contract after the workshop, bringing that contract in to the Office of Student Outreach Services, and being referred to the offices on campus which can assist each individual (customized based on need) in overcoming challenges which hindered class outcomes in their first semester is the primary goal. Redirect: Preparing & retaining students applying for competitive programs
Presenters:
Molly Farley, Associate Dean of Academic Advising - Tulsa Community College Greg Hope, Director of Academic Advising - Tulsa Community College Greg Anderson, Director of Academic Advising - Tulsa Community College Deborah Batson, Dean of Allied Health - Tulsa Community College At Tulsa Community College, there is a high number of students applying for allied health competitive programs but a small number of students being accepted. Redirect is a wraparound model designed to orient students to program requirements and intervene if they drop below a competitive threshold. In addition, if students are not accepted into a competitive program, Redirect coaches them on reapplying or transitioning to another major. One year into the program, early indicators suggest that the Redirect model increases student knowledge about what it takes to enter a competitive program and facilitates faculty, staff, and student collaboration towards success. Advising & Learning: Maximizing resources to incorporate a blended advising model in a community College setting
Presenters:
Catherine Burton, Director of Advising & Learning - Arkansas State University-Beebe Dr. David Mayes, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success - Arkansas State University-Beebe Academic advising and the first-year experience have become a vital part of student success for all college students. This session will review what has been learned during the past two years while implementing a blended academic advising model at Arkansas State University-Beebe. Specifically,the session will highlight the process and impact of building an advising center within an existing department as well as forming valuable relationships between staff and faculty advisors. FYE Pedagogy for Agency
Presenter: Greg Foster, Coordinator of Outreach - University of Arkansas
The method of teaching can set incoming students up for success even more than the course content. The primary development task in the educational transition from high school to college is taking responsibility for one’s own education. How does your pedagogy communicate this? Come discuss one FYE teacher’s methodology to hand students their educational agency. Unique Perspectives: first-generation student veterans
Presenters:
Alan Parsons, Academic Advisor for Veterans Upward Bound – Arkansas Tech University Shelly Hall, Administrative Specialist for Veterans Services – Arkansas Tech University Kristie Wilson, Director of Veterans Upward Bound – Arkansas Tech University What does it mean to be a first-generation student veteran in higher education? This session will look at the perspective and individual characteristics of first-generation veterans transitioning in and through college. Presenters will share their knowledge, best practices, and experiences as they discuss how TRIO programs collaborate with School Certifying Officials (SCOs) to support first-generation veterans for academic success. Who is a First-Generation Student?
Presenter: Dr. Rene Couture, Associate Professor of College Student Personnel –
Arkansas Tech University Often when individuals discuss first-generation students there tends to be perceived consensus as to how we define “first-generation.” However, definitions of first-generation status vary widely, and some understandings of the term exclude students that others might identify as first-generation. In this session, the presenter will review the multiple ways the literature has defined first-generation as well as explore the origins of the term. Having a more thorough awareness of how first-generation is understood can enhance our work in addition to decreasing assumptions about students of different backgrounds. growing, retaining, & Graduating the pride
Presenters:
Rita Conley, Director of the Student Success Center – University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Carolyn Mills, Director of the LIONS Program – University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff has embraced multiple new initiatives that address the university’s strategic goals to grow enrollment, enrich the academic experience, and graduate qualified professionals. The entire campus has committed to the team effort to recruit, enroll, retain, and graduate more successful students. The pre-college Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) bridge program for incoming first-year students engages one-third of each freshman class. As a result of the LIONS program structure, interventions, and activities, these new first-year students are more mature, more knowledgeable, and better prepared and equipped for college success. |
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11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
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Educational Sessions & Roundtables – Block #2
Generation z students
Presenters:
Dr. Deborah Korth, Director of Fulbright Student Success – University of Arkansas Carrie Jackson, Instructor of Arts & Sciences – University of Arkansas Generation Z students are different from Millennial students. In this session, participants will divide into smaller roundtable groups to discuss the attributes and needs of Generation Z students and brainstorm initiatives to support them on campuses. Trends in Students on Academic Probation
Presenters:
Nadia Eslinger, Assistant Director of Student Success – University of Central Arkansas Rashad Cockrell, Graduate Assistant for Diversity & Community – University of Central Arkansas Bertha Barrientos Valdvieso, Graduate Assistant for Student Success – University of Central Arkansas Jasmine Nettles, Graduate Assistant for Housing & Residence Life – University of Central Arkansas This session will provide a detailed account of an independent analysis of data regarding students on academic probation over a five-year period at the University of Central Arkansas. It will explore the trends found for students who are placed on academic probation and recommendations on how to assist them. The presenters will explore the process of how this process can be conducted at any university. The Disability Experience: A Look at Persistence of College Students with Disabilities
Presenter: Twon Madison, Graduate Assistant for the Disability Resource Center – Missouri State University
Over the past 25 years, students with disabilities have comprised the largest area of increase in student enrollment (Hall & Belch, 2000). These students have unique challenges navigating university life inside and outside of the classroom. To create an environment that promotes student retention and degree attainment, institutions of higher education need to understand the experiences of students with disabilities. This presentation will take an in-depth look at these experiences and suggest ways to support students with disabilities in higher education. Extra! Extra! Read All About It! The National Student Clearinghouse Impacts Academic Advising
Presenter: Autumn Perkins, Academic Advisor – University of Arkansas at Little
Rock This session will discuss nationwide student trends as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse. There is so much data out there that it can be overwhelming and sometimes boring. In this session, the presenter will present findings from multiple reports derived from the National Student Clearinghouse in a comprehensible and fun manner. The presenter will also address why academic advisors should care and how they can apply this information to improve retention and graduate efforts on campuses. The Perceived Role of Parents and Family Members of First-Generation College Students on Student Transition
Presenters:
Dr. Brett Bruner, Dean of Student Engagement – Arkansas Tech University Dr. Keegan Nichols, Vice President for Student Affairs – Arkansas Tech University Few research studies have examined how parent and family members of first-generation college students perceive their roles in their students’ transition into the institution. This presentation, derived from a research study funded by the 2018 NASPA Parent & Family Relations Knowledge Community Research Grant Award, sought to examine how the parents and family members of incoming first-year, first-generation college students at a regional public comprehensive university located in the South perceived their roles in their students’ transition into the institution. D.I.Y.: Creating a First-Generation Student Organization
Presenters:
Deven Dyer, Graduate Assistant for Student Success – University of Central Arkansas Ra’Shan Stubbs, Graduate Assistant for Student Success – University of Central Arkansas Kira Alexander, Graduate Assistant for Student Success – University of Central Arkansas First-generation college students are those who parents or guardians have not obtained a bachelor’s degree. These students constitute a significant proportion of college students and often disproportionately face difficulties in their academic pursuits. There has been increasing attention surrounding first-generation college students in recent years; yet research shows mixed results regarding interventions targeting this population’s unique needs. This session will provide an overview of these unique needs and discuss how a first-generation student organization was established at the University of Central Arkansas. How Residential Facilities Impact First-Generation Students
Presenter: Bill Lacava, Assistant Dean of Residence Life – Arkansas Tech University
This roundtable session will discuss how residential facilities influence the lives of first-generation college students. Participants will be able to leave with new ideas on how residence hall facilities affect and can support this student population. |
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12:30-1:15 p.m.
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Lunch provided
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1:30-2:15 p.m.
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Educational Sessions & Roundtables – Block #3
Behind-the-Scenes: Transitioning from High School to College
Presenters:
Shanna Turney, Assistant Director of the Freshmen Advising Center – University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Meagan Bowling, Associate Registrar for Concurrent Enrollment – University of Arkansas-Fort Smith The session will discuss the highlights and lowlights in assisting first-generation students in their transition from high school to college. This will include a behind-the-scenes glimpse into out-of-the-box thinking, programming on a strict budget, and intentionality on the part of higher education staff to support first-generation students as they navigate finishing high school and pursuing college. Tales from the Spectrum: Working with Neurodiverse Learners in Higher Education
Presenters:
Ashlee Leavell, Assistant Dean of Student Wellness – Arkansas Tech University Janis Taylor, Counselor – Arkansas Tech University Leann Watson, Counselor – Arkansas Tech University This roundtable discussion will combine counseling and disability services perspectives on working with students on the Autism Spectrum. Storytelling and video clips will highlight key characteristics of this student population and will assist participants in identifying things to consider as you help these students navigate life on the college campus. Kudos: Crafting Positive Messages for Students
Presenter:
Danielle Dunn, Associate Director of Student Success – University of Arkansas Andrea Allan, Director of UA Cares – University of Arkansas Regardless of status, student experience times of self-doubt and imposter syndrome during their academic career. This session will discuss how to retool current messages to build students up rather than admonish them. Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Roundtable on Student Persistence & Retention, Student Success, & First-Generation Student Excellence
Presenter: Dr. Keegan Nichols, Vice President for Student Affairs – Arkansas Tech
University Senior student affairs officers are invited to join this roundtable to discuss issues, challenges, successes, and promising practices in the areas of student persistence and retention, student success, and/or first-generation student excellence. The audience for this session is limited to senior student affairs officers. Increase Retention & Graduation Rates by Teaching Students to Become Life Designers
Presenters:
Erica Estes, Director of Employer Relations for the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences – University of Arkansas Carrie Jackson, Instructor of Arts & Sciences – University of Arkansas Retention research has shown that students who take career-focused courses stay in college and graduate at higher rates (Reardon et al., 2015). One new and increasingly popular way to offer dynamic and innovative career education at the University of Arkansas is to combine Stanford University’s Life Design Studio curriculum with career management content and transparent assignments. Life Designers are adaptable, self-aware, and craft their own future. This session will provide participants with an overview of UA’s Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences Career Connections course and an opportunity to participate in one of the interactive class activities used to illustrate the value of three life design mindsets: curiosity, radical collaboration, and bias toward action. Considerations for Supporting First-Generation Pre-Health Students
Presenters:
Hannah Coffman, Academic Advisor – University of Arkansas Leah Jordan, Academic Advisor – University of Arkansas Madelyn Jones, Career Counselor – University of Arkansas An increasing number of first-year students enter college with the intention of joining a health profession (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019). For first-generation students who may already face steep learning curves as they become acculturated to the university, the added layer of interpreting and integrating the complex nuances of a pre-health pathway could explain a dearth of diversity in the U.S. health occupations (Pratt, Harwood, Cavazos, & Ditzfield, 2019; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2017). The purpose of this roundtable discussion is to begin the process of addressing this disparity through direct student support initiatives. The Missing Link to Success: Improving Students’ Sense of Belonging
Presenters:
Joellen Dettra, Graduate Assistant for College Student Personnel – Arkansas Tech University Dr. Rene Couture, Associate Professor of College Student Personnel – Arkansas Tech University Many first-year first-generation college students face an overwhelming challenge of establishing a sense of belonging within the college campus environment. Whether informed by the findings of Astin’s Involvement Theory, Tinto’s Student Departure Theory, or Schlossberg’s Mattering Theory, the perpetual challenge remains: how do we get students to feel as though they belong to a community during their time in college? Through research generated within a first-year student success course, the presenters will highlight similarities and differences between first-generation and continuing-generation students concerning how they describe their sense of belonging. |
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2:30-3:15 p.m.
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Educational Sessions & Roundtables – Block #4
Engaging Students Through Social Media
Presenters:
Laura Palmer, Coordinator of Marketing & Assignments – Arkansas Tech University Noelle Sweder, Graduate Resident Director for First-Year Experience – Arkansas Tech University Tyquan Daniels, Graduate Assistant for Veterans Services – Arkansas Tech University Marlana Coupland, Graduate Assistant for Student Wellness – Arkansas Tech University Tristan Cagle, Graduate Cheer Coach – Arkansas Tech University Heath Whorton, Emergency Manager – Arkansas Tech University Alex Mount, Graduate Assistant for Campus Life – Arkansas Tech University This session will present the results of the “We Want to Hear From You” social media campaign organized by the Social Media & Web Committee of the Division of Student Affairs at Arkansas Tech University conducted in September 2019. The goal of the campaign was to learn topics students were interested in seeing posted on social media for six different departments. How Effective Recruitment Strategies Lead to the Retention & Persistence of Students
Presenters:
Herlanda Hampton, Doctoral Candidate – University of Arkansas at Little Rock Christopher Bell-Davis, Student – University of Central Arkansas Tinto (1987) stated, “Though the intentions and commitments with which individuals enter college matter, what goes on after entry matter more. It is the daily interaction of the person with other members of the college in both the formal and informal academic and social domains of the college and the person’s perceptions or evaluation of the character of those interactions that in large measure and determine decisions as to staying or leaving” (p. 127). It is imperative that students have positive interactions with members of their respective communities. It should be the continued goal las recruiters and other staff to provide the valuable information both prospective and current students need to be able to make these meaningful connections. Outreach Campaigns for Student Success: Timing, Purpose, & Goals
Presenter:
Dr. Jackson Jennings, Clinical Assistant Professor of Arts & Sciences – University of Arkansas Toby Phebus, Assistant Director of Retention in Arts & Sciences – University of Arkansas At the University of Arkansas, the Student Success team in the Fulbright College conduct strategic outreach campaigns at various points in time throughout the academic year. Using carefully worded e-mails and other avenues of contact, students who have exhibited indicators for potential problems in college are contacted and asked to set up a one-on-one appointment with a student support specialist, coach, or advisor. Students who are at risk of academic probation, loss of scholarship, or simply poor performance in college benefit from individual student success meetings that meet the students where they are and use powerful questions and solutions to improve individual student outcomes. Running Up That Hill
Presenter: Mike Bogue, Director of the APEX Tutoring Center – Arkansas Tech
University For many students, obtaining a degree is like running up a towering desert hill in the hottest part of the summer. The runner will not survive the trek without breaks for rest and water. In the same way, Arkansas Tech University’s APEX Center provides academically parched students with sustenance in the forms of peer tutoring, online tutoring, academic coaching, and small study groups. Fortified by these services, the student is able to run to the top of the hill, marvel at how far they have come, and plant a victory flag. First to Finish: Career Services Empowering First-Generation Students to Succeed
Presenter: Heather Crain, Career Development Specialist – Tulsa Community
College Tulsa Community College is an urban, two-year community college serving over 23,000 students annually across four campuses. During the Fall 2019 semester, TCC Career Services launched a new program called “First to Finish” that focuses on better serving first-generation students. This session will discuss the process of developing First to Finish, tips for future programs, and information learned regarding the needs of first-generation students. Utilizing Andragogy in Conversations with First-Generation Students
Presenters:
John Nicholson, Area Coordinator – Arkansas Tech University Ellie Feezor, Graduate Resident Director – Arkansas Tech University First-generation students are not always aware of the various policies and procedures of residence hall living. In conversations with first-generation students, the presenters have utilized andragogy to assist in student development. Join them as they discuss their successes in working with first-generation students to support them in residential life. Challenges, Misconceptions, & Best Practices for Supporting First-Generation Male Student Success
Presenters: Aidan Williams, Graduate Assistant for TRIO Programs – Missouri State University
Although scholarship and practice have begun to address unique barriers and opportunities that impact first-generation students, little is known about the intersection between first-generation status and male students. This particularly troubling as male students face unique challenges such as lower enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates and less help-seeking behavior in academics. In this session, participants will learn about common challenges that face first-generation college men, common misconceptions from student affairs professionals about working with this group, and identify best practices for advising and supporting this group. Low-energy and introverted engagement will be utilized to interact with the information and create plans for applying it to specific professional contexts. |
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3:15 p.m.
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Snacks provided for the road; Conference concludes
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The Holiday Inn Express & Suites is located within walking distance of Arkansas Tech University and several restaurants. Breakfast buffet and parking are complimentary. When booking, mention the Every Student Counts Conference and request the Arkansas Tech Rate to receive a special discounted rate.
Rates & Reservations
Double Queen - $90 / night
Standard King - $96 / night
Address:
300 East Harrell Drive
Russellville, AR 72802
Phone: 479-219-5152
Hotel Contact: Jennie Phillips
Rates & Reservations
Double Queen - $90 / night
Standard King - $96 / night
Address:
300 East Harrell Drive
Russellville, AR 72802
Phone: 479-219-5152
Hotel Contact: Jennie Phillips